The Soldier, The Wife And The Child.

The Hardships Of War.

As the months passed and became nine months, I gave birth to our child. A boy which I named Jason I sent my husband a letter with a photo attached. I was so happy to get a reply. He said that he might be coming home soon because the war is dying down. I was so happy. My son would be able to see his father. A few months later when I was out the front with jason an army truck pulled around the corner. I watched it with anxiousness. When it pulled up outside our house. My face turned from worry to pure happiness as I watched Edric jump down from the truck. I walked over to him holding our child. I gently place my hand on his cheek as he dropped his things.
"You are safe " I say tears appearing in my eyes. He smiled and hugged me.
"I'm home "he said. He kissed jason on the forehead.
"Hello "he said. Jason blinked at him a couple of times and raised his arms and giggled.
"This is your papa" I say gently handing him to Edric. Edric smiled and turned to the truck. He slowly walked over holding Jason. I heard a man say something and walked over as well.
"You have done well Edric " said the dark skinned man as I walked over.
"His name is Jason " said Edric.
"Nice to meet you Mrs Evans " he said with a grin.
"My name is Aria " I say with a smile.
" Johan stone " he said. The truck started moving.
"See ya some other time " he yelled. Edric waved still holding onto Jason. I rang Emily and told her he was back. Soon after I gave her this news she arrived at our house. She knocked on the door and Edric answered. She ranted on about how mad she was that he had left me. He smiled and told her to calm down.
"I am sorry but as a man with military training I had to " he said as she finally rested with her rant
"I know that" she replied " But still ". Emily stayed for dinner and we all had fun watching Jason interacting with his father.
Six years passed and Jason was now six years old. Since Edric and myself were young parents in our later twenties early thirties we were still considered young. One day the war started up again and once again I had to see Edric off but this time so did Jason
"Mama, what is papa doing " he asked tugging on the hem of my shirt.
"Papa is getting ready to go somewhere far away and we might not see him for a while " I say sadly.
"But why is papa going " he asked
" because he has to " I say. The truck rounded the corner and Edric picked up his things and got ready. He turned to me and Jason, he gave me a kiss and a huge and a small smile. He ruffled Jason's hair and gave him a hug and a kiss on the forehead.
"Do good at school okay, for papa" he said.
"Okay" said Jason happily. Edric got onto the truck and it drove off. As I watched it leave I once again got the dreaded feeling of something terrible happening to the Jason's father.

Jason's point of view.

I watched as my dad was taken away in the truck painted in many different green colours. I didn't know where he was going or why I was just told I wouldn't see him again for a while. When the truck left I was holding my mums hand. As the truck turned the corner her grip on my hand tighted. It wasnt until high-school did I realise where my dad had gone. I had recognised the uniform and asked about it and the teacher told me. I asked my mum about it when I got home that day and she told me that this was he second time he had gone to war and that the first was before I was born. After the students in my class found out I didn't have my dad at home they began to taunt me about it and tease me. I kept telling them that he was at war fighting for the country.
"Knowing your family he is probably dead already" They would say with a taunting grin.
" But he replies to my mums letters still " I say but even that would not completely convince them. One afternoon I was called from my room by my mum.
"Yeah " I say. She handed me a letter. It was from dad addressed to me. I opened it in the lounge room. It read the following.
"My dearest son. I hope school is fairing well for you I sent a photo along with this letter to say that I am doing fine. I know that by now you have found out what it is I do and where I am but I hope you can understand I am doing this so I can protect you. Be safe, healthy and brave my son, keep your mother safe I will be always thinking of you and your mother. Always. I miss you dearly and your mother as well. ". I looked at the photo. It was of my father and a few more soldiers they were all smiling. I show mum the picture and she give me a small smile but a sad one. I give her the letter and she reads it with tears in her eyes. I feel sorry for mum having to raise me while my father was at war with the possibility of instant death. I keep the photo with me. I took it everywhere and kept it safe. One day at school a retired soldier visits and shares with us his experiences. I listen in awe thinking that my dad has to go through all of that and is going through it now. One of the students yelled out to the soldier that my dad was fighting at war now. The soldier turned to me and gave a smile of sadness.
"Your father must be very brave. To leave such a fine young child for the mother to raise " he said.
"He left when I was three " I replied and the soldier sighed.
"I gather he is one of the ones sent to the most recent war. I hear they are at a stalemate " he said. I knew what that meant. They weren't getting anywhere. I missed my father even though I bearly remember him. At lunch my friend who is a girl came over to me and said she really wanted to hurt the boys who think it is funny that my father is at war.